Very surprised at this choice, obviously wanting to make some further profits for Betfair. He had a golden opportunity last year with an easier draw only to lose to Joe Perry, a good player, but one that Maguire should be beating. He has done nothing this year to suggest he's a better or more mature player, quite the opposite in fact. The defence of his China crown doesn't inspire much confidence either. In my opinion he'll struggle first match and if he gets that far, get a good hiding from Ali Carter in the QF.

Interesting prediction Dave. I tipped Stephen Maguire to reach the final last year on this blog and lose against Marco Fu - so I really can't say a lot!

The one bet that stands out for me is the quarter betting, betting on a respective player to win his quarter and at 8/1 this morning with Corals on the newly crowned China Open champion Peter Ebdon to win quarter 1.

I appreciate that up to last week Ebdon really hasn't show any form all season and was in jeopardy of losing his place in the top 16 for next season. But, even if Ebdon doesn't produce his top form I can't see Nigel Bond causing him any problems in the first round and Ryan Day in the second has struggled since his run to the final of October's Grand Prix which a victory will set him up a quarter final with Ronnie O'Sullivan.

This is where I think the 8/1 on Ebdon is good value as we never know what O'Sullivan is going to turn up and we all know how much he hates playing Ebdon, especially at The Crucible. Rewind to the infamous quarter final of 2005 and the semi final back in 1996 when Ronnie had the chance to be the youngest World Champion.

One thing's for sure it's certainly going to make for interesting viewing.

Have to disagree with that last comment. If you think a player has a realistic chance of winning an event and he is 80-1, of course it is a good bet. If there were two players I really fancied, one was 80s the other was 5-1, it doesn't take a genius to work out which is the better bet.

And how can you say 80-1 is no more worth a punt than 5-1 unless you think he is going to win??? You wouldn't be putting the bet on in the first place if, surely? And anyway, an each-way bet on a runner-up 80-1 is far better than a bet on a winner at 5-1 should the stakes be the same anyway...

My original point was that 80/1 is an astonishing price seeing as we are talking about the greatest player who has ever lived who no matter how much he is struggling still has a chance in every tornament he takes part in.Thats why it's worth a punt.It wouldn't be worth it if he was 5/1.